Rainbow Falafel

Best Falafel in the Union Square Area… been going there for years

I have literally passed by this place for over a decade and have never stepped in… until the other day.
A co worker decided to treat me to lunch and I was craving falafel, so we came here.
The two men working behind the counter were super friendly and my falafel was created very quickly. I also added cauliflower on top of it to make it really tasty. Because I’m a glutton, I also asked for a baklava as well.
My coworker handed them his card to pay, but alas, it was cash only! Fortunately I had cash, so nothing was lost.
When we went back to the office to eat, I ate the Falafel, but I must say it was pretty underwhelming. Maybe because I’m comparing it to Maoz (which makes my stomach hurt, so no more of that), but the sandwich was pretty dry. The pita was thin and overall it was just okay. The baklava was super dry, like the honey just evaporated.
I might come back and try them again… but not for a long while.

Rainbow’s vegetarian choices are tasty and good value. The cauliflower, falafel, spinach and tabouli are good, and they’ll make a salad plate with whatever you like.

Value for money. Super fresh falafel Nicest people. Smallest restaurant EVER! Say hello to Jamal. Discuss Syria and what is going on there. Enjoy home made freshly fried falafel. Super crispy fresh salad. Spicy dressing. And a lovely warm pita. $ 4.50? Insane! This is a beautiful fun worthy and interesting experience. Go now!

Guys,
The chicken shawarma is some of the best I’ve ever had. Their produce, specifically the tomatoes they put on their pitas, are always fresh. And I don’t know what their hot sauce is – it’s super unusual — but I have regular cravings for it. The pita is fine, but I’m weird and usually just eat everything INSIDE the pita and toss the pita, anyways.
It’s also the best deal in this part of town. You should remember, however, it’s cash only and there’s no ATM inside!

Can you give a negative star !!! I was about to eat my falafel sandwich and I found a hair in it !!! Disgusting, NEVER going there again !!!

Best vegetarian platter (falafel, baba, hummus, grape leaves and tabouli) around. Ask for the cauliflower and eggplant too — delicious!

Cheap, but just disappointing tbh.

Alright. So I know that correlation doesn’t necessarily mean causation, BUT the two times I’ve been here, the first time getting a quite delicious falafel sandwich, and the second time getting quite possibly the most disappointing chicken shawarma plate ever (It was tough, cold, bleh, meh, there’s really not much more to be said. It was horrible), I have had violent food poisoning afterwards. And I got this for my lunch break, so I’m at work when I had to race (sprint) to the bathroom before all hell literally broke loose.
This place deserves 1 star, but the falafel sandwich saved it and bumped it up to two. Definitely not heading back.

I had a very dry chicken pita sandwich. Yuck. Never again. It is possible that the falafel is good but I don’t recommend their checked sandwich.

This place is easy to miss if you aren’t paying attention. I’ve only gotten the falafel so I can’t comment on any of the other food. Pretty good falafels though. More of an indoor food stand so I used to take my food to the park on nice days. Cash only too.

I love this place, the family that runs it, the food and the physical place. Rainbow shines like a beacon in USQ. NYC realness.

Had the most disappointing chicken schwarma in the history of chicken schwarmas today. I was starving and i have been here in the past and thought the falafel was solid. I love chicken scharma so i wanted to give it a try. First of all the chicken had zero flavor. The chicken was so beyond bland. Secondly, the chicken was so dry! Even the yunmy white sauce couldn’t help it. There was no effort with this sandwhich. I was sad when i was eating it. No other special touches… just plain lettuce with dry chicken with no falvor. Sooooo disappointed!!!

I love this place.
I love the people who work here.
I love the lentil soup and the pies.
I love the falafel.
I love that they sell kit kats and cigarettes.
I love their sign.
I love their grand arched entry.
I hope you will keep them in business so that New York stays alive.

Fantastically delicious tiny hole in the wall take out joint. Yes, their falafel sammies are delicious, as many have pointed out. As are their grape leaves. But for you foodies out there, here is the real joy of this gem. Try the Lahmajun. It is spectacular. Eat it plain, or wrap up some green salad in it. Lahmajun is very difficult to find in NYC, and their’s is outstanding. Also, try the zaatar pie. Wow so good. Have it in morning, heated up, with a cup of very strong black coffee. Heaven.

Good falafel that was ready extremely fast — perfect for a quick lunch. I ate in the salad place down the street since there’s no seating (read: barely any standing room) at Rainbow Falafel itself. Maybe not the best in NYC, but definitely the best in Union Square.

Heads up, this place is cash only.
This little space, and I do mean little, is a nice change of pace from the Flatiron lunch chains. There’s a small counter to stand and eat, but this is definitely a to-​go spot. There was no line at 12:30, and the falafel plate proved an interesting choice — $ 8.50+tax for five balls, hummus, pita, and an iceberg salad. While the falafel was fresh and flavorful, the salad was lackluster, and the pita came room temp in its original Orowheat bag. Skip the plate and just order the sandwich to enjoy the tasty falafel!

Rocking, fresh and tasty felafel in a small space. Worth a wait in line for their food, though. The food is excellent, they’re very nice and the price is right!

People — get the falafel, this place isn’t known for shawarma…
Yes this is a tiny falafel joint — I gave it 5 stars for the falafel — obviously — it’s not fine dinning but it’s 5 stars for the quality of the falafel.
This is a consistently delicious falafel experience, soft, buttery moist interior perfectly spiced and including nice whole coriander seeds, giving each bite the fragrant real falafel taste that’s sorely lacking in the chain falafel restaurants.
This falafel sandwich is a standout for being genuine, tasty and consistent.
Can’t ask for more.

Back in NY after six years. First stop: rainbow. It’s every bit as awesome as I remember. The vegetarian falafel plate is some kind of juicy yummy spicy wonderful. Love it so much. Also hands down best lentil and split pea soups across the nation. Get your food and grab a bench in union square. Bliss.